|
|
This Week in Largo
MARCH 22, 2019
|
Welcome to LARGO
TODAY
, News from the City Manager. Stay up-to-date on the superior services offered to our residents, businesses and visitors in the "Community of Choice in Tampa Bay.".
|
|
IMPORTANT DRINKING WATER NOTICE FROM PINELLAS COUNTY
|
Effective April 22nd, Pinellas County will begin a routine system maintenance program to optimize water quality. The water treatment method is being temporarily changed from chloramine to chlorine disinfection. The switch to chlorine will be in effect from April 22nd to May 11th.
The water is perfectly safe to drink during this period, though you may notice a slight difference in the taste or odor of the water.
Users of kidney dialysis machines and owners of aquatic life should not be impacted, but should contact their respective service providers for more information.
|
|
The City of Largo recently applied for the following grants and funding opportunities in order to bring in new funding for exciting projects.
Grant Award Received:
- Community Development: Forward Pinellas’ Planning and Place-making Grant - Applied for funding from this pilot grant program for preparation of a Special Area Plan for the U.S. 19 and East Bay Drive/Roosevelt Boulevard Major Activity Center - $50,000
Applied for and Awaiting a Decision from the Funder:
- Recreation, Parks and Arts: TEGNA Foundation (WTSP Channel 10 News) Grant
- Playground equipment at McGough Nature Park - $30,000
- Recreation-in-a-Box program that provides mobile recreation events several times/year in under served communities - $30,000
- Cheryl Coller Reed
Intergovernmental Relations Coordinator I 586-7452 I creed@largo.com
|
|
Mayor Woody Brown is joining other mayors across the country in asking residents to make a commitment to conserve water and protect this vital resource by taking part in the 8th Annual Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation. Last year, residents from thousands of cities across the country pledged to reduce their water usage by nearly two billion gallons, helping to preserve the quality of our natural environment.
To participate, enter online at
mywaterpledge.com
, and then make a series of online pledges to conserve water on behalf of the City of Largo. One winning city will be determined from five population categories. The city with the most pledges in each population category will win. Residents from the winning cities who take the online pledge will also be entered to win hundreds of environmentally friendly prizes, including $5,000 for home utilities, water-saving fixtures and home improvement gift cards.
For questions regarding the challenge or ways that you can help “reduce your use,” visit
OurFutureLargo.co
m
or email Sustainability@largo.com.
- Laura Thomas
Sustainability Coordinator I 586-7424 I lthomas@largo.com
|
|
GREATER RIDGECREST YMCA HEALTH & WELLNESS FAIR
|
The Largo Outreach Team and Community Ambassadors joined the Greater Ridgecrest YMCA Annual Health & Wellness Fair on Saturday, March 16th. Along with free health screenings, residents received goodies and giveaways from Largo Police and Largo Recycles, learned about City services and also enjoyed food, music and prizes. To connect to the City of Largo's outreach team for an upcoming event, visit
Largo.com/Connect
.
- Laura Thomas
Sustainability Coordinator I 586-7424 I lthomas@largo.com
|
|
LARGO STUDENTS WIN FUTURE CITY CHALLENGE
|
Future City is a project-based learning program where students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade imagine, research, design and build cities of the future. It
consists of five deliverables: a virtual city design, a 1500-word city essay, a scale city model built from recyclable materials, a city presentation to local engineers, and a project plan.
Students from both the Pinellas Academy of Math and Science and the Pinellas Preparatory Academy successfully participated in this wonderful program.
The City is proud of the talent and creativity of Largo's youth and our shared commitment to creating a sustainable Largo for generations. Visit
OurFutureLargo.com f
or more information about Largo's sustainability initiatives.
- Laura Thomas
Sustainability Coordinator I 586-7424 I lthomas@largo.com
|
|
FORWARD PINELLAS PLANNING & PLACEMAKING GRANT AWARD
|
On March 13th, the Forward Pinellas Board approved the Planning Division’s proposal for Planning & Placemaking (PPM) grant funding to assist with the preparation of the US 19-Roosevelt Boulevard Special Area Plan. The purpose of the PPM is to support local governments in their work to maintain and/or strengthen the character of Pinellas County’s many distinct communities by fostering connected, people-centric neighborhoods and destinations through planning activities that reinforce community identity, livability, and increases public wealth. The $50,000 award to the City will supplement funds allocated in the current fiscal year to contract professional services from a planning consulting firm to prepare a plan to advance the City’s strategic quality of life, economic development and multi-modal objectives. The professional service award, memorandum of understanding and budget amendment will be brought to City Commission in April.
- Carol Stricklin
Community Development Department Director I 586-7490 I cstrickl@largo.com
|
|
DOWNTOWN PLAZA ENHANCEMENT PROJECT
|
On March 18th, the City’s Downtown Plaza Enhancement Project site plan was approved by the Development Controls Officer. The project entails creating a passive public space at the southwest corner of West Bay Drive and Seminole Boulevard that will serve as a gateway feature to Downtown Largo. The approved site plan includes installation of a 16 foot tall signature landmark feature plus solar panel array, signage, hardscaping, and extensive landscape improvements on 0.7 acres of City property. The project will be out to bid in March.
- Carol Stricklin
Community Development Department Director I 586-7490 I cstrickl@largo.com
|
|
UNLICENSED CONTRACTOR TRAINING
|
On March 13th, the Community Standards Division hosted a one hour training course on how to recognize and investigate unlicensed contractor cases in the City of Largo. This training was presented by Todd Myers, Supervisor of the Pinellas County Contractors Licensing Department. Staff in attendance were from the Community Standards Division, Building Division, Housing Division, Engineering Department, Largo Police Department, Environmental Services Department and the City of Pinellas Park’s Neighborhood Services Division.
- Carol Stricklin
Community Development Department Director I 586-7490 I cstrickl@largo.com
|
|
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING
|
On February 7th, the Community Standards Division hosted an eight hour training course on how to recognize and approach cases involving individuals experiencing an emotional crisis. This training was presented by Sgt. Amanda Misner from the Largo Police Department. Staff who participated in this training came from the Community Standards Division, Housing Division, Engineering Department, Building Division and the City of Pinellas Park’s Neighborhood Services Division.
- Carol Stricklin
Community Development Department Director I 586-7490 I cstrickl@largo.com
|
|
PARKS DIVISION SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE
|
The City of Largo Parks Division is excited to participate in a sustainability initiative to promote the support and growth of our critical pollinator colonies, which include bees, wasps, butterflies, and many others. Recently the wild flowers in the grass at the Largo Cemetery have been blooming, attracting thousands of bees and other pollinators to the area. While the area may appear that it needs to be mowed, Parks staff will refrain from mowing the grass until the more active growing season arrives and the wild flowers are out of bloom. Please contact the Parks Division at 586-7415 with any questions or concerns.
- Phil Christman
Parks Superintendent I 586-7415 I pchristman@largo.com
|
|
ROAD CLOSURE - 2ND STREET SW ROADWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
|
Please be advised that the following road closures are scheduled as part of the ongoing 2nd Street SW Area Roadway Improvements project. The City's Contractor, Gator Grading & Paving, is performing roadwork. The working areas will be closed to all through traffic; local traffic will have access to their homes. Detour routes will be provided.
The upcoming roadway closures are scheduled to occur in the following areas:
- 2nd Street SW – March 20th & 21st (1 block at a time.)
- 4th Avenue SW between 4th Street SW and 2nd Street SW – March 21st
- 4th Place SW between 3rd Street SW and 2nd Street SW – March 21st
- Lane closures throughout project area for milling and resurfacing – March 25th
*Schedule is subject to change based on unforeseen circumstances.
In addition to full roadway closures, individual lane closures are anticipated for the upcoming two weeks throughout the project area. Residents and those traveling within this area may encounter trucks and equipment throughout the duration of the project, so for the safety of the workers, please drive with care when encountering work zones.
- Megan Dion
Program Engineer I 587-6713 I mdion@largo.com
|
|
"LARGO LIVE" CENTRAL PARK MUSIC SERIES STARTS IN APRIL
|
Stay local and join us for live music, food vendors, beer and wine starting in April with the Largo Live Music Series in Largo Central Park. This free event will feature a different, local headliner who will rock the stage from 7pm until 10pm every third Friday in April through June.
APRIL 19: BETTY FOX BAND
Enjoy the soulful sounds of the
Betty Fox Band on April 19th. Named Best of the Bay's "Best Local Blues Band," Betty Fox has a subtle stage presence reminiscent of Natash Bedingfield with a combination of blues, soul and funk.
MAY 17: SOUL CIRCUS COWBOYS
Soul Circus Cowboys will rock the stage on May 17th. Reaching Billboard's Top 50 Country chart with their record "Taligate Country," the band brings a polished yet gutsier, grittier kind of country rock to today's music scene.
JUNE 21: CHRIS MCCARTY
June 21st brings artist,
Chris McCarty, to the stage. The charismatic performer writes several of his songs and has been noted to take his audience on a pop-rock musical journey.
- Kara Piehl
Special Events Coordinator I 587-6740 I kpiehl@largo.com
|
|
|
|
JOIN OUR TEAM
Are you interested in helping to build the community of choice? There are great opportunities from college interns to engineers and you can find them all by visiting
Largo.com/jobs
. Largo provides outstanding benefits including a modern employee wellness program. Working for Largo allows you to serve the community by providing superior services that inspire community pride. The City of Largo is a great place to work, naturally!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
